Always looking for something new we have decided to put the spotlight on the bowler this bowling season with a feature from time-to-time that will talk about what our local bowlers are up to this year.

For our first in depth article we have asked 25-year-old Monticello bowler Pedro Joseph Agapito III to step up to the plate and tell us what's happening in his bowling world.

A graduate of Monticello High School Pedro first started bowling at the age of 9, and he learned about the game in the Saturday morning youth league at Kiamesha Lanes for seven years.

Pedro was 16 when he joined the Kiamesha Lanes Monday Night Men's league with team members James Durland, Eddie Walsh and Nick Price.

At the present time Pedro bowls in two leagues, the Monday Men's and the Friday Mixed, both at Kiamesha Lanes. His team mates in the Monday league include Bobby Patel, Charlie Tuttle and Vinny Collura.

He holds down a 230 average in the Monday league and a 240 average Friday nights.

Three-hundred games and 800 series are almost automatic for Pedro as he has recorded somewhere around 35 in each category.

When asked if he ever dreams about bowling professionally Pedro says, “I would love to one day.”

Remembering his experience while bowling in the Professional Bowlers Association 2018 U.S. Open at Syracuse, we asked Pedro what he took away after competing under difficult conditions and what he learned that has had an efffect on his bowling today.

He said, “It was definitely an experience but it was well worth it.....bowling with all the people I watch and look up to."

“The main thing I learned is to be consistent and if you asked the bowlers I bowl with now all I talk about is me being consistent and that's all I work on.....I want to make sure of my speed, the way I release my ball, where I throw my ball and everything is consistent every time,” Agapito said.

When asked what's it like bowling in the COVID-19 era Pedro noted, “It's not too bad and I don't like the mask but it's something I have to deal with for now."

One of the great joys Pedro has had the past several years is his marriage to Angela and the birth of their son, Jaylen Nelson Agapito who is now 10.5 months old.

His full-time job is being a stay at home dad taking care of Jaylen.

When asked who his favorite professional bowlers are he noted, "Jason Belmonte and Parker Bohn III."

Ed's Outlook

Finally. Sean Rash is a PBA World Series of Bowling champion.

Rash of Montgomery, Ill., defeated fellow future Hall-of-Famer EJ Tackett of Bluffton, Ind., 229-215, to win the Go Bowling! PBA Cheetah Championship at Bowlero Centreville, one of four title events at the Storm WSOB XI. The finals aired last Sunday on FS1.

It was Rash's 16th Go Bowling PBA Tour title overall, moving him into a tie for 24th all-time, but the 38-year-old's first WSOB title after many close calls in World Series competition.

“This one felt good,” said Rash, originally from Anchorage, Alaska. “Getting to check off that (WSOB) box on my career, to beat the best of the best in the world. That is one I have wanted for a long time.”

Rash, the 2011-12 PBA Player of the Year, has been one of the World Series' most prominent star players throughout the 11-year history of the PBA's annual international showcase. He previously qualified for 15 WSOB TV finals without a win, finishing runner-up four times in different events.

“The depth of the field at the World Series, with the best from so many countries taking part, is why winning means so much,” said Rash, who advanced to six finals telecasts at WSOB III.

The triumph in the Cheetah Championship was Rash's second title of the PBA Tour 2020 season, following his PBA Oklahoma Open win in January. The 2,500 competition points he earned with the Cheetah victory also solidified the important 8th place position in the 2020 PBA Playoffs, which assures Rash a first-round bye in the upcoming season culminating event for the top 24 in 2020 points.

Bowling Tip

By Mike Luongo

The tip this week is for all bowlers but will be especially beneficial to youth and beginning bowlers.

Many bowlers worry too much about their steps and footwork, giving little thought to their upper body position.

In the past, most new bowlers were told that you must use a four-step approach and push the ball away on the first step. This advise was generally imparted by someone with the word “coach” lettered on their shirt. Unfortunately, this advice is pure rubbish.

First of all, all bowlers have different body types, different flexibility and different lengths to their arms and legs. So how is it possible that everyone can effectively use the exact same four step approach? They can't.

If you look back at the legends of the game, did any two bowlers have exactly the same style? No.

The most important thing is to get the bowler's body in the correct position -- head over the ball with the bowling shoulder tilted to the ball side. In this way, the feet will go where they must so that you do not fall down.

The bottom line is if you are someone who works with new or youth bowlers, you must understand that everyone has different physiology so you need to help them get their body into the correct position and not focus on how many steps they take (or how these steps are taken) to get to the foul line.

Mike Luongo is a Certified IBPSIA Pro Shop Operator, Master Instructor, USBC Silver Level Coach and an Advisor-Special Events Assistant with the Storm and Roto Grip Bowling Ball Company. Have a question, email him at mike.luongo@stormbowling.com

LOCAL SCORES

KIAMESHA LANES

Monday Men's

Russell Bivins 626, Bobby Sze 233, 645, William Schubert 257, Tom Belgiovene 610, Jaryl Scott 256, 634, Jon Wilhelm 232, 234, 674, Rich Bradford 226, Jason Jones Jr. 257, Jordan Balzano 238, 256, 701, Charlie Tuttle 614, Vinny Collura 245, 683, Pedro Agapito III a 225, 226, 671, Jason Jones Sr. 255, Paul Minton 621.

Tues. Mixed Firefighters

Jon Wilhelm 227, Jaclyn Kimmes 177, Charlie Tuttle 279, 674, Karen Martin 178, Shane Cunningham 631, James VanAken 226, 610, Allan Jones 246.

Friday Mixed

Pedro Agapito III a 226, 234, 664, David Graham 244, 682, Laresko Niifa 254, 623, Serafin Rodriguez III a 255, Jason RH Rogers 230, 658, Bill Schubert 607, Keith Smith 633, Kevin Sackhouse 243, 614, Bob Sze 240, 614, Charlie Tuttle 226, Esther Barber 180, Mikayla DeGraw 215, Nicole Feller 201, Anne Kaplan 187.

FOX BOWLING CENTER

Wednesday Independent

Andy Boice 232, 604, Andrew Bullis 256, 635, Greg Burton 234, 635, Shane Dirig 245, 242, 654, Chad Gardepe 233, 659, Paul Gordon 604, Ben Green 225, 660, Pete Green 237, 232, 682, Dan Keesler 634, Scott Lacy 237, 600, Donnie Marino 610, Mitch Persbacker 233, 640, Aaron Phillips 245, 653, Roger Widmann 255, 675, Scott Wormuth 232, 603.

Thursday Night 3

Dale Conklin 226, Shane Dirig 601, Dennis Leonard 609, Mike Robinson 236, 638, Dan Wormuth 236, 618.

Friday Couples

Andy Bullis 232, 243, 669, Linda Ferris 189, 524, Gino Jones 607, Julie Martin 181, Brianna Meres 199, 539, Brian Tiffany 227, Dan Wormuth 228.

PORT JERVIS BOWL

Thursday Ladies

Carol Flynn 169, 189, 193, 551, Kim DeGarmo 161, 185, 161, 507, Maureen Decker 177, 175, 125, 477, Kim Witkowski 153, 158, 157, 468, Carmela Montaperto 150, 145, 153, 448, Rachel Rivera 179, Sis Leeper 169.

Ed Townsend is a Public Relations Consultant to the sport of bowling and brings over 60 plus years of sports journalism experience writing and compiling the information for this column. If you have league or tournament information, bowl a 300 game or 800 series, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, email at bght75@gmail.com or fax to 845-205-4474. View this column and Ed's photos at https://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.